Elastic-fluid turbine.



W. L. R. EMMLVIi ELA'STIG FLUID TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED APRA, 1910.

1,006,637, I Patented Oct. 24, 1911..

Witnesses'. W Invrpqtr:

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. R. EMMET, 0F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERALELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, VILLIAM L. R. EM- Mn'r, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of NewYork, have invented certain :new and useful Improvements in Elastic-Fluid Turbines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to elastic fluid tur bines, and has especialreference to the nozzles for conveying steam from one stage to the nextin a multistage machine. In the low pressure stages of large turbines,and also in most or all of the stages of a low pressure turbineoperating on the exhaust from a reciprocating engine, it often becomesdesirable to use very high buckets, which necessitates nozzles of greatradial depth. In making such nozzles it is desirable to use a smallangle of inclination to the plane of rotation, also to pass largeamounts of steam and consequently it is preferable to use thin divisionplates between the separate nozzles. But if the radial depth of thenozzles is considerable, these thin division plates may be a source ofdanger from breakage or loosening, and if this danger is overcome bythickening said plates there will be a loss of efficiency incident tosuch thickening, and also a loss of discharge area which may necessitatefurther increase of radial depth. To overcome this difliculty I putbetween the successive division plates one or more spacing partitions,running substantially the entire length of the nozzle, so that eachnozzle is divided into two or more sections. These partitions not onlyserve to stiifen the division plates and hold them in place, thuspreserving the proper shape of the nozzles, but they also assist indirecting the steam in its passage through the nozzles, preventing theformation of objectionable eddies and cross currents. In many nozzles acertain degree of divergence is desirable from throat to discharge end,and in such cases the partitions can be used to obtain the desiredeffect, at the same time being so shaped that they will not interruptthe continuity of the stream at the point where it strikes the buckets.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which-Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a diaphragm containingnozzles provided with my spacing partitions; Fig. 2 is a longltudlnalsectlon of the same, snowing also -a portion of the buckets to which thenozzles deliver the steam; Fig. 3 is a radial section of a nozzleshowing a modified form of partition; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsection of the same.

The diaphragm l is provided with a slot or opening 2 near its outeredge, running concentric with the turbine shaft. This opening is dividedinto nozzles by means of thin division plates 3 of sheet metal, whichmay be secured in place by having their edges embedded in thel metal ofthe diaphragm at the time said diaphragm is cast. These plates areshaped, as usual, to give a bowl 4 at the receiving end, a throat lla,and a discharge end 5, delivering the steam to the buckets la at aslight angle to the plane of revolution. In order to stiften theseplates I introduce one or more spacing partitions 6 between them, saidpartitions being of thin sheet metal and arranged preferablyperpendicular to the division plates, as appears in Fig. 1. I prefer tosecure these partitions in place by providing their edges with lugs 7which are inserted through holes in the division plates and riveteddown, as shown. This construction necessitates placing the partitionsout of line with each other, so that they are alternately offset, asshown in Fig. l. It is preferable, however, to locate them as near tothe middle as possible, if only one set is used. If more than one set isdesired, they can be arranged to divide the nozzles into as nearly equalsections as possible: though in some cases it may be found desirable tovary the relative sizes of said sections. In any event, thesepartitions, running the entire length of the nozzles, serve to supportand stiifen the division plates and also to insure the direct flow ofthe steam to the buckets and its delivery in practically equal amountsalong the entire length of the bucket.

In the modification shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the spacing partition 8 doesnot extend quite the entire length of the nozzle, but is somewhatthicker than those shown in Figs. l and 2, and is thinned off at itsupper and lower ends to a sharp edge 9, s0 as to offer no obstruction tothe inflowing steam, and also to deliver it in an unbroken stream to thebuckets. This shape of the partition Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

also assists in givingthe proper divergence to the nozzle, as plainlyappears in Fig. 3. These thicker partitions can be readily fastened inplace by through rivets 10, which are headed down on the division platesafter passing through them and the partitions. With these partitions, aswith the thin ones, it is necessary to stagger them, as shownin Fig. 1.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the principle of operation of my invention, together with theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but

' I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is,-

l. Inan elastic fluid turbine, the combination with a nozzle, ofinclined division plates and lone or more individual longitudinalpartition plates that are separately secured to two adjacent divisionplates.

2. In an elastic fluid turbine, the combi nation with a nozzle providedwith thin division plates, of one or more partitions located betweensaid plates and arranged in staggered relation.

8. In an elastic fluid turbine, the combination with a nozzle providedwith thindivi- .ally disposed division plates, of one or more individualcircumferentially extending partitions secured to adjacent plates, andtapered to a thin edge at each end.

6. In a nozzle for an elastic fluid turbine, the combination of asupport containing an orifice, radially disposed division plates mountedtherein and having a small angle of inclination to the plane of rotationof the wheel receiving the fluid, partitions located between each twodivision plates and extending in a plane perpendicular to said plane ofrotation, and means for securing the partitions in staggered relationone to the other.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this first day ofJApril, 1910.

WILLIAM L. R. EMMET.

Witnesses:

B. B. HULL, HELEN ORFoRD.

` Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

